Race Day Instructions

​PRE-RACE DAY PACKET PICK-UP: ​

Publix BeActive, Be Healthy Expo on Friday, March 24Arrive at New Bern Riverfront Convention Center between 4:00-8:00pm to claim your race bib and goodies. The Publix Be Active! Be Healthy! Expo will also be taking place giving all an opportunity to visit with Bridge Run sponsors and to grab last minute items you desire for your race.

Arrival Time

​Arrive at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center between 6:00-6:45am if you’re registering for any race on Saturday, March 24rd. If you’ve registered but haven’t already picked up your race packet, then report to the pre-registration area on the waterfront side of the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center.

PArking

Parking is available all around the downtown area with streetside parking and municipal lots. Even easier, we have permission for parking in the Outback Steakhouse lot and a portion of the field neighboring the restaurant. This location gives race participants a short warm up walk across the Alfred A. Cunningham Bridge. To enter this parking area, please use the Downtown New Bern exit from Hwy 70 / 17 Bypass. Limited parking will also be available at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center with entry from the service drive off of Middle Street at the Doubletree. There is parking in and around downtown New Bern in municipal lots and in parallel parking spots. Please simply note that South Front Street between Middle and East Front Street will be closed to ALL VEHICHULAR TRAFFIC FROM 5am UNTIL NOON as is outward bound traffic on East Front Street between Pollock and South Front Street after 5am. The Alfred A. Cunningham bridge is closed to vehicular and marine traffic from 6:30am - 9:30am. All participants should allow for walking time to the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center and then to the start at the entrance of Union Point Park.

Courses

All three courses are USATF certified as point-to-point footraces. The starting line(s) are just outside Union Point Park. Listen for announcements to be escorted to the start line for your event. Please note the timers equipment and power cords on the sidewalk on East Front Street. The half marathon starts at 7:00am at the East Front and South Front Street traffic light. The 10K starts at 7:30am while the 5K starts at 8:15am just outside of Union Point Park. Courses are well-marked and course monitors will be posted at each turn. REVIEW COURSE MAPS IN RACE PACKET, ONLINE at www.BridgeRun.org, or at the CONVENTION CENTER. Mile markers will be placed on each course. As routes overlap, please look for the appropriate marker for your race: Mile markers for the half marathon have a GREEN Carolina East Half Marathon logo; mile markers for the 10K route have the YELLOW WCTI 12 & Fox 8/14 10K logo; and the markers for the Lamar 5K route have the BLUE square with 5K.Please take a moment to study your race route before your run to ensure you will follow the correct course. The routes are contained herein and will be posted at the Baggage Storage area in the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center the morning of the race. We will have signage and volunteers assisting in directing you during the race, but ultimately you are responsible for following the correct route.

Chip Timing

Using the Innovative Timing Systems’ Jaguar RFID timing system, chips have been attached to your bib and must be present at all times to ensure accurate timing. Do NOT fold or bend chip (rectangle) on the back of your bib. Wear your bib on your front as close to your stomach area as possible and please ensure the number is visible. We will utilize radar guns for a second read at the finish line.

Bathroom Facilities

Bathroom facilities are available at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center and Union Point Park for the start and finish. Port-o-johns are also available at approximately mile 6 and bathrooms are at approximately mile 8 in Fort Totten Park and mile 10 in Lawson’s Creek Park for the half marathon course.

ID Check

Arm bands are necessary to drink the official beer of the Neuse River Bridge Run, Michelob Ultra and other RA Jeffrey’s distributed beers. All who partake must be 21 or older. A photo ID with birthdate is required to receive an armband. Racers receive complimentary beverages and food. Beer tickets are easily detachable from your bib.Guests are $10 each for entry to both Friday and Saturday’s activities - tickets available Friday evening.

WAter Stations

There are five (5) water stations throughout the three courses, and each will be amply supplied with water and the last two on the Half Marathon route will have Powerade provided by Coca Cola

First Aid

There is a first aid tent at the finish line chute (Front sidewalk of the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center). There are also aid kits at water stops. Local EMS will be on hand throughout the area as well.

Baggage Area

A table will be set up inside the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center’s coat closet. Runners will retrieve their items from the same location. The Neuse River Bridge Run and its affiliates will not be responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items. Place your photo ID with your car keys in the runners baggage and storage

Bridge Safety

For safety purposes, only bibbed runners and officials are allowed on the bridges. No baby strollers, joggers, bicycles, or animals are allowed on the bridges. NOTE THAT ALL BRIDGES MUST BE CLEARED BY THE HALF AND 10K RUNNERS BY 8:20. Wheelchair participants will start approximately 5 minutes prior to the other participants. BE ALERT FOR TRAFFIC ON COURSE. Although we have police officers and other monitors on the course, we cannot guarantee that traffic will not cross our pedestrians’ paths. Participants are asked not to wear headsets.

Awards Ceremony

All runners must be chip-timed to be eligible for an award. Awards will be given based on gun times to the top 3 overall 5K, 10K, and half-marathon male and female finishers, along with the top 3 male and female in the following age categories: 14&Under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70&Over. The awards ceremonies will begin at the convention center no later than 10:00 am (to allow time for any disputes and corrections.) Awards cannot be mailed. Winners who cannot stay may pick up their awards at CarolinaEast Foundation on Neuse Boulevard.

Runners Celebration

All runners, paid-in-advance guests, and volunteers are invited to celebrate the runners’ accomplishments during and after the awards ceremony on the Trent River waterfront as well as inside the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center. Music, food, and beverages will be provided. ID required to drink Michelob Ultra, the official beer of the Neuse River Bridge Run and other alcoholic offerings. Coca Cola will provide many wonderful non-alcoholic options as well and Publix will provide post race snacks.

Confused? Lost

Look for race volunteers in and around the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center (They are wearing safety vests and or white Bridge Run Tshirts), or visit the VOLUNTEER table inside the center for assistance.

How Did We Do?

No matter how hard we try, there may be better ways to do things. Your suggestions are welcome! Please do not pick on the event volunteers. They are unpaid help who have been here since before 5:00 am. There will be a post-race survey sent to you following the race - please respond. We will be glad to hear your ideas. We want to make this race bigger and better with your input. Thank You!!!